The threat of an economic setback is real despite general optimism, warns Joseph Ficalora, the chief executive of New York Community Bancorp.

IMGCAP(1)]

IMGCAP(1)]

Park National Corp. in Newark, Ohio, has tapped an insider to succeed John Kozak when he retires as chief financial officer next year.

After suffering losses on real estate loans for three straight years, Patriot National Bancorp in Stamford, Conn., has now turned a profit in two consecutive quarters.

At least 17 states are considering bills to create some form of state-owned bank. Backers say such a bank would partner with community banks and strengthening lending. Opponents believe forming the bank would be costly and redundant with what banks already offer.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau added yet another product line to its consumer complaint system Monday, signaling its priority on using new tools to collect consumer feedback.

Eagle Bancorp of Bethesda, Md., has opened its fourth office in northern Virginia and is planning to establish a fifth later this year.

American Express, which is trying to expand beyond the affluent customers it normally lends to, is testing the sale of prepaid cards in some Wal-Mart stores.

Hundreds of municipalities are passing ordinances that could cost banks and others billions of dollars to register and maintain troubled homes that may never reach foreclosure.

Bank of America issued just $7.9 billion of GNMA-backed MBS in the fourth quarter, a 71% plunge from the same period in 2010, according to new figures compiled by National Mortgage News and the Quarterly Data Report.

Deposit-rich U.S. banks will seek out more opportunities to lend to small businesses this year as they look to grow revenue, a new survey from a consulting firm predicts.

Every now and then some doomsday cultist predicts the end of the world, but it doesn't occur. No big news.

Visa had a few concerns about how consumers would react to three Arizona credit unions issuing prepaid gift cards carrying its brand through their ATMs.

A two-year-old consent order between the banking unit of Macatawa Bank Corp. and regulators has been terminated after the Holland, Mich., company raised additional capital and reversed a string of money-losing quarters.

Square, an early and successful contender in mobile payment acceptance, has launched a new system that it says can replace a traditional cash register.

United Western Bancorp Inc. in Denver has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in a move that would allow the company more time to pursue its lawsuit against federal regulators for seizing its thrift in January 2011.

Pioneer Bank in Roswell, N.M., is expanding its reach in the Lone Star state with a deal to buy two branches in El Paso, Texas, from Washington Federal Inc. in Seattle.

Perhaps readying itself for further expansion, Iberiabank Corp. in Lafayette, La., has filed a shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission that would allow it to quickly raise capital for use in pursuing deals.

A lot of bankers are chipper about their choppers, says Leo Hinkley, who along with other motorcycle enthusiasts at BankAtlantic participated in a special fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale this weekend.